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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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THE SCHOOL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Under the provisions of the regulations for the degree
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
on Tuesday, September 6, 2016
10:00 AM
in Bunger-Henry, Room 388
will be held the
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL DEFENSE
for
Lisha Liu
"Multiblock Copolymer Based Anion Exchange Membranes and Ionomers"
Committee Members:
Dr. Paul A. Kohl, Advisor, CHBE
Dr. Seung Soon Jang, Co-advisor, MSE
Dr. Meilin Liu, MSE
Dr. William J. Koros, CHBE
Dr. Vladimir Tsukruk, MSE
Abstract:
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have been a subject of research as hydroxide conducting polymer electrolytes in electrochemical devices like fuel cells and electrolyzers in recent years due to the alkaline conditions facilitating reaction kinetics and allowing for non-precious metal catalysts, which greatly reduces the cost. AEMs with high ionic conductivity, low water uptake, and excellent chemical and mechanical stabilities are highly desired. Up-to-date work has shown that multiblock copolymer based anion exchange membranes have better properties compared to other membranes.
This work will focus on synthesis and characterization of multiblock copolymer based AEMs and ionomers. First, AEM materials with new structures will be synthesized, including dense local ionic head-groups, multication side chains, various cationic groups, and new backbones. Second, the degradation mechanisms of the conductive cationic groups and polymer backbones will be investigated. Finally, the anion conductive membranes and ionomers will be tested in fuel cells and water electrolyzers.
